Bonn, Germany: Sustainable development and volunteerism will be the main topics of discussion when non-governmental organizations (NGOs) meet in Bonn, Germany for the sixty-fourth annual United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI)/NGO meeting from 3 to 5 September. Read

Bekaa Valley, Lebanon: Women food cooperatives in the region of Bekaa produce high quality natural foods. Despite good manufacturing facilities and excellent products, marketing and sales continue to be a challenge. Two UN corporate/private sector Volunteers from Kraft Foods helped the cooperatives find ways to boost sales. Read

Beijing, China: The UN Resident Coordinator in China, Renata Lok-Dessallien, celebrated the launch of the China Volunteers Association. This inclusive volunteer association aims to foster and promote the culture of volunteerism for social development. Read

New York, United States: In June 2011, UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri spoke on the occasion of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) Briefing to NGOs in New York. She focused on youth, a significant resource for volunteering: "Youth are not the problem, they are part of the solution". Read

New York, United States: UNV Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri attended the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board in June 2011 in New York. She emphasized the need to acknowledge volunteerism in various ways, "in particular not as an afterthought, but as an intentional component of programmes designed to promote national ownership and the development of national capacities". Read

Chiquimula, Guatemala: Volunteer members of youth and national networks are promoting dialogue with political candidates on human development, as one of the key activities for the months leading up to the elections to be held in September this year. Read

Kiev, Ukraine: In August 2010 the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) received the 2010 Monaco Charity Award from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).  Every year the UEFA gives this award to a deserving organization that is mobilizing the power of sport to achieve positive change. Read

Dili, Timor-Leste: Last week, the UNV Field Unit welcomed its 20 newest members who reported for their assignments as UNV Electoral Officers and Advisors in the country’s 2012 national elections.

These fast approaching 2012 elections are a vast undertaking, requiring a  great deal of preparation, much of which needs to be done well in  advance. The newly arrived UN Volunteers will be supporting the  electoral process. Read

Dushanbe, Tajikistan: On Saturday, 25 June, the results of the first national photo contest 'People of Good Will' in Tajikistan were announced.  The award ceremony took place during the opening of the photo-exhibition in Dushanbe at Bactria Cultural Center. Read

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Hundreds of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina got together to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5th. United Nations agencies, ministries, municipalities, towns, schools and NGOs around the country organized clean-ups, exhibitions and cultural events. Read